Arts

Arts

Under a barrage of road rage, a woman found help from a stranger when her car stalled

5:38pm December 04, 2023

During a difficult point in her life, Mary Griffis bought a manual car. After she picked it up, she stalled out in heavy traffic on a narrow road. One driver showed her kindness that others didn't.

How the keffiyeh became a symbol for Palestinian liberation

5:06pm December 04, 2023

The Palestinian keffiyeh has been at the center of violent attacks in the U.S. NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with dress historian Wafa Ghnaim about the keffiyeh's legacy and significance for Palestinians.

Biking Santas take over Milwaukee for charity

4:51pm December 04, 2023

by Lina Tran

For nearly two decades, thousands of Santas take over the streets of Milwaukee in what's known as the Santa Cycle Rampage — the "world's largest holiday-themed costume group bicycle ride for charity."

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Dave Davies began covering local politics and government for WHYY in Philadelphia in 1982.

Arts

Longtime 'Fresh Air' contributor Dave Davies signs off (sort of)

1:46pm December 04, 2023

by Terry Gross

After 22 years with the show, Davies is cutting back on his workload. He chats with Terry Gross about some of his most memorable interviews, and the preparation that goes into each conversation.

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Rizz is the word of year for 2023, according to the publishers of the Oxford English Dictionary. The term deals with charisma and charm — and other rizzes are available, such as Stockard Channing, center, seen here as Betty "Rizz" Rizzo in the 1978 film Grease.

Rizz is Oxford's word of the year for 2023. Do you have it?

1:17pm December 04, 2023

by Bill Chappell

If you're asking what "rizz" means, you're not alone. There's even a chance that you have rizz without actually knowing what it is.

Taylor Swift celebrates a touchdown during the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers game at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 22 in Kansas City, Mo.

If Taylor Swift is living in Kansas City, here's what locals say she should know

11:28am December 04, 2023

by Gabe Rosenberg

Even if you don't know burnt ends from a short end, here's a (brief!) introduction for Taylor Swift and the rest of the world to understanding Kansas City and what makes it so enchanting.

The Kennedy Center Honorees, pictured L-R top row: Queen Latifah and Barry Gibb. L-R bottom row: Renée Fleming, Billy Crystal, and Dionne Warwick. The 46th Annual Kennedy Center Honors will air Dec. 27 on the CBS Television Network and stream on Paramount+.

Queen Latifah, Billy Crystal and others celebrated at Kennedy Center Honors

11:09am December 04, 2023

by Elizabeth Blair

Billy Crystal, Dionne Warwick, Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees, Renée Fleming and Queen Latifah were given the star treatment as they received their Kennedy Center Honors.

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Daniel Ek, CEO of Swedish music streaming service Spotify, in 2016. On Monday, Ek announced Spotify would layoff 17% of employees.

Spotify to cut 17% of staff in the latest round of tech layoffs

10:52am December 04, 2023

by Emily Olson

In a memo addressed to staff, CEO Daniel Ek said it was necessary for the company to "rightsize" after hiring too many people during 2020 and 2021. Roughly 1,500 workers are likely to be let go.

Books
Arts

Author John Nichols, who believed that writing was a radical act, dies at 83

9:57am December 03, 2023

by Tom Vitale

Nichols created more than 20 works of fiction and non-fiction, most centered around his adopted home of Northern New Mexico. He is best known for The Milagro Beanfield War and The Sterile Cuckoo.

"How Does Santa Go Down The Chimney?" Text © 2023 by Mac Barnett. Illustrations Copyright © 2023 by Jon Klassen

Books
Arts

Inquiring minds want to know: 'How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?'

8:30am December 03, 2023

by Samantha Balaban

"How does he do it?" Author Mac Barnett and illustrator Jon Klassen squeeze, squash and generally put Santa through the wringer while trying to answer an age-old Christmas mystery.